Sometimes the simplest moments in time are the most profound. The image of a drifting plum blossom is such a wonderful contrast to the hard iron teapot. There’s a lovely pause in time suggested here, when the blossom lands amongst the precision and mindfulness of the tea ceremony. This haiku stood out for me as a winner for the seemingly effortless way the haiku blends with the close-up of this lovely teapot. The mark of all good haiga is the individual craft of both haiku and image and how they come together to make something greater.

2nd Place

plum blossom
the sweet taste
of homemade bread

Polona Oblak

Once again we have the plum blossom connection to the pattern on the iron teapot. This time our sense of taste is activated and we are transported to many warm memories of good nurturing food and home cooking. The sweet tastes of many things are evoked here and taking the time to stop in our busy lives and savour such a moment brings many rewards. There is also a strong link between the lovely pink of the teapot and sweet taste of homemade bread.

Highly Commended

early snowmelt –
I turn the teapot
three times each way

Jane Williams

The last of winter gives way to early spring and this very traditional way of handling a teapot to encourage the brewing has been handed down through generations of tea lovers. My own dear wife uses this ritual as well and there is something about old traditions that nurtures the soul and gives us a sense of timelessness. We also have a link between the turning of the seasons and the teapot and a cosmic feeling of everything in balance as it should be.

Highly Commended

spring dusk—
the blush of a peony
about to bloom

Martha Magenta

The blush of the peony and the warmth and colour of the teapot work together in harmony to give us a haiga that connects on many levels. The lovely moment of spring dusk adds more layers to the colour connections inside the haiku and image and we feel the bloom and sense what is about to unfold.

Highly Commended

spring renewal
the imprint of a garden
on my hands

Marietta McGregor

Even after a long day working in the garden, the newfound order and tidiness always feel nurturing, and sore hands and backs can be soothed with a nice hot bath. The imprints on our hands can reveal great mysteries to those who can read a palm. The interesting link between the imprints in the teapot in the image and those on our hands makes this a very successful haiga.